Theme 27: Climate Change
Description
Atmospheric CO2 concentrations have been increasing since the industrial revolution, and are projected to double within this century over today's concentration of 360 µmol mol-1 . This study used six open-top chambers in the Colorado, USA shortgrass steppe to investigate how increasing CO2 will affect productivity and C and N status of indigenous perennial grasses and forbs. From March until October, chambers were placed on two plots in each of the three blocks. In each block, one chamber was assigned an ambient CO2 treatment (~360 µmol mol-1), the other an elevated CO2 treatment (~720 µmol mol-1). Each block also had an unchambered control plot. Growth under elevated CO2 increased above-ground phytomass an average 31% in 1997 and 47% in 1998, with no differences in relative growth responses of C3 and C4 grasses and forbs. Growth in chambers was greater than non-chambered control plots, presumably due to warmer temperatures in chambers and a longer growing season. Shoot N concentrations were reduced 21% and C/N ratios increased 23% in elevated compared to ambient chambers. Variation in aboveground phytomass due to year, CO2 and chamber effects correlated well to % shoot N and C/N ratios, although for both traits different regression lines were required for green plant material (harvested in July) and senescent plant material (harvested in October). Results suggest increased growth and reduced N concentrations in this mixed C3/C4 grassland in an elevated CO2 environment.
Citation
Morgan, J. A.; Mosier, A. R.; LeCain, D. R.; Parton, W. J.; and Milchunas, D. G., "Elevated CO2 Enhances Productivity and the C/N Ratio of Grasses in the Colorado Shortgrass Steppe" (2021). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/19/27/1
Included in
Elevated CO2 Enhances Productivity and the C/N Ratio of Grasses in the Colorado Shortgrass Steppe
Atmospheric CO2 concentrations have been increasing since the industrial revolution, and are projected to double within this century over today's concentration of 360 µmol mol-1 . This study used six open-top chambers in the Colorado, USA shortgrass steppe to investigate how increasing CO2 will affect productivity and C and N status of indigenous perennial grasses and forbs. From March until October, chambers were placed on two plots in each of the three blocks. In each block, one chamber was assigned an ambient CO2 treatment (~360 µmol mol-1), the other an elevated CO2 treatment (~720 µmol mol-1). Each block also had an unchambered control plot. Growth under elevated CO2 increased above-ground phytomass an average 31% in 1997 and 47% in 1998, with no differences in relative growth responses of C3 and C4 grasses and forbs. Growth in chambers was greater than non-chambered control plots, presumably due to warmer temperatures in chambers and a longer growing season. Shoot N concentrations were reduced 21% and C/N ratios increased 23% in elevated compared to ambient chambers. Variation in aboveground phytomass due to year, CO2 and chamber effects correlated well to % shoot N and C/N ratios, although for both traits different regression lines were required for green plant material (harvested in July) and senescent plant material (harvested in October). Results suggest increased growth and reduced N concentrations in this mixed C3/C4 grassland in an elevated CO2 environment.
